BEAT

In the decade of excess and extravagance most of the classic rock bands of the 70s had been trying to "scrape their way through", to survive shifting trends and to remain relevant in one way or another. The reformed King Crimson had emerged in 1981 with the album 'Discipline' and an updated lineup featuring Tony Levin, Adrian Belew and Bill Bruford alongside main man Robert Fripp, presenting their invigorated and innovative take on progressive music, always with that abrasive and gritty 'Remain in Light' edge, brought on by Belew. This album's success indicated a clear new direction for the band, which went on to release their second album of the decade, 1982's 'Beat', the second installment of the "new wave" trilogy of Crimson, an album taking up the experimental edge of 'Discipline' and twisting it around with the soaring influence of post-punk, pop and avant-garde rock, resulting in an eclectic and brilliantly sharp work, both humorous and absurd.

If 'Discipline' had exhibited an almost-mathematical precision to its arrangements and a very structured, calculated sound, 'Beat' is the album that completely tried to disintegrate this tendency, in a way "negating" the progression. Thematically inspired by the publications and philosophy of the Beat generation, as suggested swiftly by Fripp, according to some sources, this 1982 album is a perfect example of surreal rock music, shapeless and unpredictable, cynical and comical at the same time, cutting-edge and challengingly difficult to enjoy at times, 'Beat' is a record which almost seems to have it all - the edge and the excess of the 80s as well as the ingenuity and mannerism of classic Crimson. The quirky, upbeat opener 'Neal and Jack and Me' sets the tone for this record, while the band explore their pop-sided tendencies with 'Heartbeat'. Instrumental entries like 'Sartori in Tangier' and 'Requiem' present the experimental Crimson, while the challenging and unconventional sounds of songs like 'Two Hands' and 'The Howler' can easily turn into a patience test even to the most open-minded of listeners. All the patterns of this album are equal amounts magical and atypical as 'Beat' presents an unthinkable blend of new wave, progressive rock and avant-garde, with an avalanche of rhythms and gorgeous harmonies. Infinitely interesting work that has remained underrated and overlooked, but no less impressive than some of the band's previous works.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to A Crimson Mellotron
• Report this review (#3168308)
• Buy KING CRIMSON music online with PA partners
• Show all KING CRIMSON MP3/Stream
• Go to KING CRIMSON page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Beat page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for KING CRIMSON related discussions